mirror or no mirror

[ruarox]

i am new to saltwater and want to put a mirror on the back of my 125 g tank any reasons why it is not a good idea

 

[tenwhiteduke]

Hmmm I would like to know the answer to this too.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

[welcome]

while i dont think it would really hurt anything, i personally think it would look bad. Might freak the fish out for a while (they might think there is more rock back there and try to go into it and run into the glass...) but that'd be about it.

 

[hmello@bermexin]

If you have any fish that fight with their own kind, would a mirror stress them?

 

[Zestay]

probably. ive seen a tomamto stare into a mirror at the LFS for hours swimming against it

 

[drummereef]

The general consensus is that it will drive your fish crazy. Even Bob Fenner said this about mirror backgrounds.

 

[ruarox]

i have a small mirror for now but want a full mirror background 1 guy at lfs said it would freak them out but doesnt seem too i think it makes the tank look cool and you can see fish behind shell or rock

 

[chrisstie]

Aside from fish trying to kill a phantom conspecific (its reflection) have you considered how to keep the back of the tank clean if you attack a mirror?

I have a little 3g with a mirror background (no fish) and its somewhat thick on the backside and hard to clean with a magfloat.. maybe the larger stronger ones will be fine but sounds like a pain in the butt

 

[cartouche]

But surely!!.... It will only look effective if your back glass is spotlessly clean? If you have any blemishes then there gonna look like there suspended in mid-air.
Once you get coraline growing on the back imho it will look a bit silly... mind you, i've never actually seen one, i'm just trying to imagine it. What about snails & stars on the back glass, they'll look like their levitating.

In short, I would try and keep your display tank as natural looking as possible... sticking a mirror in is just, well, .... ahem....spooky. :eek1:

 

[markandkristen]

put a freshwater beta in thier and watch him go crazy...
wait thats just plain wrong

 

[Snowboarda42]

i would say no, i read an article that states you should paint the bottom of your QT tank for the same reason- it drives fish crazy.

plus who wants a fish doing something other than their natural behavior? Isn't that what we are trying to replicate here?

 

[StephM33]

The only thing we use a mirror for is leaning it against one side of the tank when we introduce new fish. The reflection keeps our more active/agressive fish busy while the new fish can scope out the tank, and find a place to hide out without being harassed.

Yes, it does drive the Yellow Tang crazy for a couple of hours, but in the long run we feel it's worth it.

JMHO,
Steph

 

[barbra]

It doesn't just irritate them, it can cause physical damage when they gear up for a run at the "intruder" and bash themselves into the rear wall of the tank. That's just heartless.

 

[ruarox]

only had tank running for 6 weeks but have 8 damsels a panther grouper to cycle tank it doesnt bother them at all trying to see if anyone has done it for long periods of time thanks

 

[Randall_James]

I am in the "No way" club....

want some laughs? put a mirror up to a freshwater beta... (please do not leave it there long, you will see why)

 

[Krazy]

I just took a hand held mirror to my tank, my clown hid faster then I've ever seen and my flame hawkfish went krazy at the mirror...

I'm in the "No Way" club for sure !! I just experienced first hand why not to do it...

 

[JamesV77]

What about one on the bottom of the tank for a Bare Bottom. Think that would look sweet making it look like an endless reef...? Any thoughts on that.....?

 

[Randall_James]

[welcome]
fish are still gonna freak...